OIF approves Micro Integrable Tunable Laser Assembly Implementation Agreement

Members of The Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF) this month approved the Micro Integrable Tunable Laser Assembly (uITLA) implementation agreement (IA), one of three IAs that the group believes will benefit 100-Gbps design work. The uITLA aims to reduce power dissipation and space requirements for 100-Gbps applications.

The uITLA offers a smaller form-factor than specified in the previous ITLA IA (see “OIF approves integratable tunable laser agreement” and “By agreement, OIF transforms ITLA to ITTA”). It will offer a 60% reduction in area and a nearly 30% reduction in height, according to the OIF. Power consumption will shrink by 25% as well.

“The OIF is continually refining our technology driven documents to fit the rapidly evolving market,” said Karl Gass of TriQuint Semiconductor and the OIF’s Physical and Link Layer Working Group vice-chair. “The OIF has completed several tunable laser projects that are commercially successful and will continue to update our 100G centric documents to support the needs of vendors and carriers and the emerging market.”

Meanwhile, the OIF announced what it termed “maintenance updates” to other 100G technology areas. For example, the 100G Long Haul DWDM Transmission Module Multi-Source Agreement (MSA) is a follow-on to the 300-pin transponder used in 10G and 40G applications. The OIF says it worked with members of the CFP MSA to align the two MSAs to incorporate a common management interface that addresses module communication and commands, including interfacing to the laser and adjusting for power changes. In addition, clarifications were made to several mechanical specifications.

Secondly, the Integrated Intradyne Coherent Receiver IA, which defines an integrated photonic component to reduce the cost and size of 100G transceivers (see “OIF approves 100G coherent receiver implementation agreement”), also received a polish. The update clarified operating and mechanical characteristics and resulted in a reduction in body length of 80%, from 60 mm to 50 mm.